Chapter 6: Arthur's POV

Standing hesitantly outside Merlins bedroom door, one hand raised ready to knock, I worriedly nibbled on my bottom lip. Terrified that when confronted Merlin will just laugh in my face denying everything he said the day before.

"No merlin wouldn't do that. As much as I hate to admit it that boy is my best friend. He wouldn't purposefully hurt me like that." I scolded, calming my racing heart. I was very grateful now that Giaus had already left to deliver medicine when I arrived. I would hate for him to see me struggling just to talk to one servant. No, one friend. Taking a deep breath I was just about to knock when the door flew open revealing an exhausted looking Merlin, with bags as dark as night under his eyes, hair resembling a rats nest, and clothes obviously thrown on at the last minute. He startled upon seeing me standing outside his door, a fist raised to knock. Clearing my throat, and lowering my hand I gestured for him to follow me downstairs to the table. Upon Arrival I pulled out one of the seats planting my self in it and waited for him to do the same. Hesitantly he did. His face taking on one of worry. He probably could guess why I am here.

"Merlin why? Why did you break your promise? You swore to me you would come and yet I faced it without you. Why?

"Arthur not everything is as it seems I..."

"Oh don't give me that crap Merlin. That demon said the exact same thing. You know Leon and Gwain both swore you had your reasons for breaking your promise. That hell would have to freeze over to keep you from my side. Yet I have yet to hear any reasons for not showing up. Only that not everything is as it seems." I yelled my voice rising as I got up from my chair and began to pace.

"Arthur..."

"No, you know what. I don't want to hear it. You swore you would be there. You saw me at my most vulnerable as I poured my heart out to you. Shared my fears that not even Gwen has heard, and yet you couldn't even be bothered to do one simple thing. All I wanted was for you to be there. To support me through what could be my final days. Yet you would rather be doing who knows what than being by my side when I needed you most. I don't know where you were, but by your obivous lack of injuries I presume you weren't kidnapped or injured so I ask again Merlin. Where were you?"

"I... I can't tell you Arthur."

"Of course not." I murmured turning my back to him and crossing my arms over my chest

"Arthur I am not telling you because I don't want to. I litterly can't tell you. Its tearing me apart not to be able to flat out tell you but please believe that you mean the world to me. If I could tell you I would." He pleaded laying a gentle hand on my shoulder, which I promptly shook off.

"Well don't worry about it. You don't have to tell me." I quietly stated turning back around to face him. A look of pure relief crossed his face at my words, assuming I had forgiven him. Making me feel almost guilty for what I was about to do. Almost.

"Because your fired. I can't have someone I can't trust working for me. Nor do I want a friend who couldn't be bothered to be there in my hour of need."

"Arthur no..." He sputtered horrified.

"Don't bother showing up tonight. My true friends and I can handle it just fine without you." With that I swiftly exited the chambers slamming the door behind me. I could hear his tear filled wails echoing down the hall as I left him there. Arriving at my chambers. I swiftly entered closing the door behind me. Leaning against the door I allowed my own sobs to wrack my body as I slid to the floor. Burying my head in my arms as I sobbed.

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Later That Night Just After Sunset

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"Hello again Sire. Are you ready to give your final guesses? Who Am I?" Rumplestilskin enquired his voice strangely full of sorrow and trembling slightly. Sighing I unraveled my final list of names reading each one off with no emotion.

"Sir Gregory?"

"No."

"Geoffrey."

"No."

"Leon."

"Oh come on your not even trying now Arthur."

"well what's the point. I already know none of these people on this list are right. Why even bother. Why not go ahead and take my life now. Not like it even ma..."

"SMACK!" Lifting my hand up to my now reddened check where Rumplestilskin just slapped me. I stared at him shocked, that he would do such a thing.

"Will you stop your whining already. This is not getting you anywhere. You can't just go giving up when you have a chance to save your life. You have a kingdom counting on you surviving this. Yet you want to just throw in the towel when you still have time left. I thought you were a King. Obviously your just a Prat. King Prat at that." He snapped ranting and wailing at me. Calling me every name under the sun from Prat to dollophead. Yet he still was not done yelling. All I could do was stare at him as his words filtered though my head. Before I knew it my lips were forming a name without my permission. Making the demon freeze in his tracks as he heard it.

"Merlin?"

"W...what did you say? Did you... What did you just call me Arthur?" He hesitantly asked taking a step toward me. A hint of hope filling his voice. I could practically see his baby blue eyes pleading for me to repeat the name I whispered involuntarily. So I did.

"Merlin. I said Merlin. The servant with his goofy grin that always wakes me up with sickingly cheerful greetings. The loyal dolt who rides in the middle of battle without armour just so I won't have to face my enemies alone. My best friend who would never leave me to face my possible death yet strangely this time he did. Unless..." I trailed off trying yet failing to see beneath the hood that hid his face. All while I had been speaking we had slowly begun closing the distance between us. Until I was standing right in front of him. The edges of his hood inches from my face. The magic the only thing keeping me from seeing those giant floppy ears, and impossibly hopeful blue eyes.

"Unless." He prompted eager to hear my guess.

"Unless I am right and you are my bumbling, clumsy friend who never knows when to shut up." I laughed lifting my hands and tugging on the hood and revealing my loveable manservant beneath. A tearful smile on his face as he finally threw himself into my arms. His hands firmly gripping the back of my red shirt as he buried his face in my shoulder. His body quivering in relief as he sobbed into my shoulder.

"I would never leave you during a time like this Arthur. Never. I rather die than leave my brother to face the executioners axe alone. Always by your side. Always." He sobbed my arms the only thing keeping him from sinking to his knees as he hugged me. He probably would have stayed there all night hugging me, (If I would let him.) if a bright golden and black thread hadn't appeared out of his arm. Creating what looked like a golden chain, which wound tightly around his neck and wrists, (much like the chains we put on prisioners), before vanishing once more within his skin. Leaving behind a faint chain like scar across his throat and wrists.

"What was that?" I demanded staring curiously into his tired blue eyes.

"That would be the cost of the Identity vow. For every vow there is a cost. The unbreakable vow comes at the cost of, if broken you die. The Identity vow comes at the cost of, once completed, my freedom. I now belong to you. I can't disobey a direct order given by you. Even if that order were for me to die I would have to obey. The magic would spring to life and these chain scars around my neck would become real and choke me until I stop breathng. If you were to command me to be bound these chain scars around my wrist and ankles would become real and bind me fast. Restricting my movements. Along with that also goes my immortality. When your mortal body finally gives up the ghost mine will too. My life force is now tied with yours when you die, I will die too. Though its only one sided. If somehow I were to die before you, you would be unaffected. Nor do you have to obey my commands ethier." I anwsered smiling up at him as I wiped away the last trace of tears on my face with the back of my hand. Arthur stared at me horrified, one hand placed securely over his mouth.

"Oh don't look at me like that. It may seem horrible to you, but to me its a great comfort knowing I won't have to live forever. I have been on this earth for over Five thousand years now. I have had to watch as all my friends and those I fell in love with died and left me behind unable to ever join them. That was originally why I made the deal for your soul. As only the soul of a prince would grant me my one wish to finally be allowed to leave this life and join my loved one's in ablion. Knowing I only have to live a few more years before I can finally see my dear Freya again. Is more wonderful than you could possibly know, and knowing that I won't ever have to live even one year without my brother is also a great comfort. So thank you Arthur for this wonderful gift. Thank you." I whispered new tears of joy springing to my eyes as I finally realized I would no longer have to watch my friends die around me with no way of ever joining them. Soon I would finally be reunited with my dear sweet Freya again.

"Oh stop being such a girl Merlin. This is no time for tears." He teased placing his hand on my cheek and softly wiping away my tears with his thumb.

"Merlin about what I said this morning. I..."

"Its ok Arthur you don't have to say it I understand, and its ok."

"No its not ok though merlin. I should have known you wouldn't break your promise to me. I was so busy feeling betrayed that I completely ignored all the little hints you gave me. I should have fiqured it out when you knew about the bet."

"I'm still waiting for those 20 gold pieces." He cheerfully pointed out. Grinning goofily at me which I ignored.

"I should have known. Especially when you said you were my brother in all but blood. If that wasn't a dead give away I don't know what is. I only call a handful, (if that.), of people my brother yet It still took you calling me a prat to fiqure it out. I am such an idiot."

"Yeah thats true you are."

"Wow thanks Merlin for your vote of encouragement." I sarcastically spat rolling my eyes at his silly grin.

"Its true you were an idiot not to realize who I was sooner, but so was everyone else."

"Hey I resent that mate." Gwain called from the other end of the table. The others nodding their agreement. Ignoring them he continued as If no one had spoken. Focusing all his attention on me.

"No one else fiqured it out ethier. All that matters is that you did finally guess my identity. What happened before that is in the past now, and should be left in the past, ok."

"Ok but I want to hear everything about what you have used your magic for and how you and my dad even managed to get in this situation in the first place. Yes I know you said it in the letter but I want to hear it from you. Than after all that you are going to help me revise some very much outdated laws." I told him. My hand on his back as I guided him from the room. Completely forgetting about the others still sitting around the table watching us leave.

"So I say this calls for some celebrating. Whose up for a trip to the tavern." Gwain cheerfully asks gazing at all the knights around him. Groaning Leon, Percival, Evylan, and Lancelot quickly extracted themselves from the table racing from the room with different made up escuses. Leaving Gwen, Giaus, and Gwain.

"What about you Gwen?"

"Um I really should go make sure Arthurs ok." She stammered knocking over her chair in her haste to escape. Turning to Giaus Gwain cheerfully raised an eyebrow in question.

"Herbs! Yes I need to gather more herbs! I should do that now." He quickly anwsered rushing out the door. Shrugging his shoulders Gwain cheerfully took a swig from his alcohol laden flask on his hip and got to his feet.

"Oh well more for me." With that he left whistling all the way.

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50 Years Latter

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(Merlin's POV)

"Merlin..." Coughing and tiredly glancing over to the closed door leading out of the antichamber. I frowned struggling to extract myself from my blankets as Arthur's weakened call drew me to him. It had been a long time since the truth of my identity was finally revealed. In that time not only had magic been freed, but the uniting of Abilon had finally become a reality. With the unification of the kingdoms came a peace that has yet to be broken. It wasn't long after that, that Morgana realizing there was no longer a reason to fight agreed to peace. Arthur tried to get her to finally return home but even though Arthur had accepted magic, and she could finally be free she still felt like an outcast. So leaving in peace. Morgana left to travel the world rediscovering who she wants to be now that her war against her family is finally over. After that everything kind of just fell into place.

The next 50 years, with no Morgana to terrioze us, have been some of the best years of our lives. Yet as most things, all good things must come to an end. It was only about 10 years ago that illness once more struck the kingdom. One that even my magic couldn't cure. It devestated the castle. Killing over half of the village in a matter of months. We finally managed to vanquish its effects from the land but not before it claimed the life of the queen. Arthur and his children Aaron and Sapphire were devestated. After Gwens death Arthurs health gradually began to fail. It wasn't long before he found himself bedridden. With the king no longer able to run the kingdom. The future of camelot fell to his oldest child Aaron.

With Arthur's health failing naturally my was too. Though because of my magic I was able to keep going long after Arthur found himself confined to his quarters. Though now that is no longer the case. Humphrey claims its only a matter of time now before...

"Merlin." Groaning and finally extracting myself from bed. I slowly hobbled my way into the kings chambers. Sinking down on the chair overlooking the kings bed I forced a goofy grin on my time worn face as I gazed tiredly down at my brother in all but blood.

"What ya want prat. I was sleeping." His quiet snort of amusement could barely be heard through the blanket encircling his frail body.

"I always knew you were lazy. Idiot." He softly chuckled only for his laugh to quickly change to wet pain filled coughs. Handing him the goblet of water resting on the nightstand. I shakily held it steady as he soothed his sore throat. It was times like this when I really wish Giaus were still here. Not that Humphrey isn't an amazing physician, but I do so miss my uncle's eyebrow of doom. Setting the goblet back on the nightstand. I am about to return to my seat on the chair when a wrinly old hand suddenly shoots out from the blankets. Grasping my hand in a deathlock. Lifting my eyes to meet those exhausted blue eyes as they fought to stay open, my face instantly softened. Knowing exactly what it is he is wanting.

"Alright prat move over." I laugh climbing onto the bed and sliding in beside him. Pulling the blanket so it would cover me as well. I swiftly pull him toward me. Wrapping my arms around his waist as I rested my head gently on the pillow. Holding him against my chest. I gently carded my fingers through his gray hair. Humming a soft tune as I listened to his quiet gasps as he struggled to draw air. It wouldn't be long now.

"Merlin." His quiet voice breaks through the silence. Drawing my attention momentarily from my humming.

"Yes Arthur."

"Thank you." I paused in my carding as my brain processed his words. After a moment I once more continued running my fingers through his hair.

"Wow is the world ending? Or did the king of camelot really say thank you." I laughed as i felt his hands lightly smacking my chest as he huffed out a breath of annoyance.

"Yeah well don't get used to it."

"Soo... what are you thanking me for anyway."

"Hmm. Oh well I guess for not giving up on me. Honestly Merlin if you repeat this I will deny it but I never would have made it without you. To tell you the truth I was ready to give up when I found out about Agravains betrayal. If you hadn't knocked some sense into me and stayed with me even when I threatened to lock you up I garentee I wouldn't still be here. So I guess what I am trying to say is thanks. Thanks for being my friend."

"Well someone had to, and I don't think even George could handle your level of crazy." I whispered lips tugging into a gentle smile.

"Idiot." He huffed his eyes dancing in mirth as they slowly began to close.

"Dollophead."

"Clotpole." He whispered with his last breath as his eyes finally closed for the last time.

"Thats my word." 20 minutes later the horrible wailing of a heartbroken kingdom could be heard as the bodies of the king and his warlock were discovered. Wrapped together with their final smiles playing across their lips. Unable to bare the thought of seprating the friends the new King Aaron and his younger sister Sapphire broke tradition and buried the brothers together with fire upon the lake of Avalon. It was as the royal family stood there. Tears in their eyes. Watching 2 great heros burn. That Merlin and Arthur's Spirits rising from the flames walked hand in hand to avalon where friends and family eagerly awaited to welcome them home. So ends the destiny of Emrys and his once and future king.

The End